AT THE start of every year, we all hope for a better year for ourselves, for our friends, families, colleagues and wider society. 

But as I write, our communities face two immediate crises — a public health crisis now entering its third year and a cost-of-living crisis affecting those who can least afford it.

Both are hitting working-class communities hard. There is the immediate health risk of Covid as cases hit an eye-watering three million per week, as well as the wider impact on healthcare provision as waiting lists soar and hospitals declare “critical incidents” — their highest level of alert.